Externe harde schijf of USB-stick valt vaak uit, oorzaken en oplossingen

Do you often find that external devices are no longer available or inaccessible after plugging them into your laptop, or that they run slower, especially if multiple USB devices are connected?

The most frustrating thing is not being able to access your files. That's why we recommend everyone always have a backup of your files on another device, and then store them in a separate location. This way, in case of fire, theft, or malfunctioning hardware, you can still recover your files. But that's beside the point.

Malfunctioning external devices can have several causes. Not only due to malfunctioning hardware, but also due to the operating system's power mode. Below, we describe each cause and what you can do to resolve it.

Malfunctioning Cable

It's also possible that the cable connections are no longer working properly or have too much slack. The wire may also be twisted. This can be caused by repeatedly bending the cable. This can cause internal damage to the cable itself. To ensure a properly functioning cable and optimal speed, you should bend or fold the cable as little as possible and certainly not tie it in a knot. How do I check if the cable is damaged? Replace the cable with a different, preferably newer, cable and see if the problem persists. If the problem disappears, the cable is the problem. If there's still a problem, you should also check the possible causes below.

Malfunctioning connectors
The USB connectors on your laptop or computer may no longer be working properly or may simply be worn out. You've already tried all the USB connectors on your device. However, the connectors on external devices such as external hard drives and USB sticks may also be worn out. This could be due to excessive slack between the components. To check if the problem lies with the laptop or PC's connection, it's best to connect the external devices to another laptop or PC and see if you experience any issues. If everything then works properly, you know the problem is with the laptop or PC's connectors. If there is still a problem, it could still be the connection of the external device or one of the problems below.

Hardware volume poorly formatted or broken
Sometimes the volume itself can simply become unavailable because it's damaged or poorly formatted. It could also be a software problem with the files. Traditional hard drives used to have more moving parts that could become damaged because they had more moving parts. Spinning disks often have "bad sectors." These are small areas on the disk that malfunction, causing your files to become unopenable or completely lost. With solid state hard drives (SSDs), there are no moving parts, so bad sectors are less likely to occur. However, this doesn't mean this new technology is infallible, because usually, if you lose access to the volume of an SSD, everything is lost. USB flash drives also sometimes fail. Sometimes the USB goes into locked mode, and you can no longer even format the volume. If this happens, it's best to replace the hard drive. This applies not only to external hard drives, but also to the internal hard drive of your laptop or computer itself. Therefore, it's important to always have a backup of all your files.

Operating System Energy-Saving Function

It's often forgotten that Windows, or other operating systems, disables USB connectors after a certain time to save energy. Many people don't know this, but these days, it's a very common occurrence on laptops.

To disable the energy-saving function of your USB controllers in Windows so they never automatically disable, follow these steps:

Open Device Manager
Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.

Finding USB Controllers and Adjusting Settings

In Device Manager, navigate to the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section and expand it. You'll see a list of various USB root controllers, such as "Intel(R) USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller," "USB Root Hub," or "Generic USB Hub."

You'll need to repeat these steps for each USB root controller and USB root hub listed.

Right-click one of the entries and select Properties. In the Properties window, go to the Power Management tab. Deselect the option "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." Click OK to save the change.

Repeat these steps for any other USB root controllers and USB root hubs you want to prevent from turning off.

Optional: Adjust USB power management settings (advanced)

Sometimes you also need to adjust the power management settings.

To adjust the power settings for USB in Windows' advanced power settings:

Press the Windows key + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter to open the Power Options control panel. Click "Change plan settings" next to your active power plan. Click "Change advanced power settings." Scroll down and expand "USB Selective Suspend Settings."

Disable this setting for both "On battery" and "AC powered" (if applicable). Click Apply, then OK.

After following these steps, your USB controllers will turn off less frequently, which can resolve issues with USB devices disconnecting.

Please note: After updating the operating system, the power settings may revert to balanced, and the problem may recur. Therefore, it is recommended that you check whether the power settings for the USB connection are still correct after an update.